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Monday September 28, 2009If U Care Share Golf Day A Success

If U Care Share’s campaign to raise awareness about teenage suicide was handed a boost as a golf day, in memory of Daniel Hare, helped to raise £1,700 through an auction including items donated by Micah.

The initiative came about following the death of Daniel in 2005, with his younger brother Matthew, then aged 10, and then 13-year old cousin Sarah developing the idea to encourage young people to talk about their problems.

Daniel’s death is made all the more difficult for his family given that they are still no closer to knowing why he decided on such a devastating course of action, but they hope to use such hurt to benefit others.

The campaign is one that Micah has a personal affiliation with given a loss that his family, friends and he shared in the same year; that of Daniel Nelson.

Nelson, as he was known to his friends, played football with Micah throughout their childhood but, as the City footballer’s career began to take off, his friend’s life began taking a downward spiral.

The devastating result was that, four years ago, Nelson opted to end his own life, and when Micah heard about If U Care Share’s campaign he was keen to get involved to ensure that similarly vulnerable people are aware of the help available to them.

In order to raise If U Care Share’s profile, Micah wore a green-and-white wristband with the charity’s name on towards the latter stages of Manchester City’s Premier League campaign last season, and he continues to do so.

More recently pop group the Sugababes have added their support, and both Shirley and Dean Smith – Daniel Hare’s parents – are looking to raise enough money to undertake an Applied Suicide Intervention Training (ASIT) course in Ireland.

A team of volunteers were on hand to sell the If U Care Share wristbands at Newcastle United, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Darlington matches, raising in excess of £10,000 for the Samaritans.

In total, the initiative has raised over £48,000 for the Samaritans North East Region, supporting several projects including the production of an advert shown in cinemas in the north of England encouraging young people to discuss their problems.

If U Care Share are also hoping to roll out a programme to schools around the United Kingdom which will promote the discussion of problems amongst young people, especially with suicide an increasing problem.

To watch the Samaritans video, a behind-the-scenes feature which includes interviews with Daniel Hare’s family, and for full details of the If U Care Share campaign, please click here